Page 104 of Torment
And we don’t look back.
EPILOGUE 1
A lot can happenin a month.
The explosion at the Steele estate was ruled as a gas leak. According to the report, Jack caused it himself in a desperate attempt to destroy evidence tied to the federal investigation.
The fire marshal signed off on it within forty-eight hours. Nick made sure of that.
The media ran the story for a week before moving on to the next scandal. Jack Steele died a disgraced man. Melissa, David and Andy with him. The empire they built collapsed exactly the way it deserved to–loud, ugly, and impossible to ignore.
Cole and Elias managed to pull everything out of Jack’s office before the house went up. Boxes of records the feds somehow never found. Financial trails. Names. Deals.
Secrets.
The kind that don’t stay buried forever.
But today isn’t about the past.
It’s about the future.
I whip into the courthouse parking and slide my brand new Q8 into the first open spot I see. Karson bought it for me two weeks ago. He knew how much I loved the other one, but this time, it’s in my name.
“Jesus Christ, Ash,” Parker says from the passenger seat, grabbing the door handle as the car jerks to a stop. “You drive like you’re trying to kill us.”
“We’re late,” I shoot back, already climbing out.
I smooth my hands down the ivory silk of my dress after shutting the door. It’s simple. Thin straps over my shoulders and a soft drape of the neckline. No lace, no beads, no train. It’s gorgeous.
“You’re the one who insisted on stopping for coffee,” she calls after me.
“Worth it.”
We hurry across the parking lot, Parker struggling to keep up in her heels while I juggle my purse and the coffee cup in my hand.
The courthouse doors swing open just as we reach them.
Karson and Maverick both look up.
Karson goes completely still.
His gray eyes drag slowly over me, like he’s committing every inch to memory. For a second he doesn't say anything at all. Then crosses the hall in three long strides.
“Holy shit, doll,” he breathes when he reaches me. “You look incredible.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks.
His hand settles at the small of my back and I blink up at him. His hurricane eyes glitter with excitement, and a crooked smirk spreads across his lips.
He looks devastating. Pressed black slacks and white button up with a black tie. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows showing off his heavily inked, veiny arms.
Maverick clears his throat behind him.
“Nice of you two to finally show up,” he mutters.
I glance at the clock on the wall and wince.
“Technically we’re only five minutes late.”
